Animal abuse can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal, according to The Humane Society. Either way, whether the animal is a pet, a farm animal, or wildlife, the victim can suffer terribly.

Tens of thousands of cases of animal abuse are reported each year. In addition to being cruel, animal abuse also affects society negatively. In a 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University, 70 percent of animal abusers are also responsible for other crimes, 40 percent were of violent nature.

South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard has now added South Dakota to the other 49 states that consider animal abuse a felony. Animal abuse is now a state felony in all of the United States.

Animal rights activists everywhere can now celebrate. Share this with your friends and family so that they know too!